Low beam headlight bulbs
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 243
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From: North Dakota
Low beam headlight bulbs
Another headlight bulb question.
Passenger low beam just went out.
I assume to replace both low beams at the same time.
Any opinion on these?
I check our 3 major auto parts stores and they wanted $100 for a single HID bulb. All of them united in price. One had a $95 option.
Passenger low beam just went out.
I assume to replace both low beams at the same time.
Any opinion on these?
I check our 3 major auto parts stores and they wanted $100 for a single HID bulb. All of them united in price. One had a $95 option.
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 152
Likes: 21
From: North Carolina
Ideally yes it's a good idea to replace both rather than one.
01-03 are D2R. 04-06 are D2S. Don't cheap out on safety equipment, $100 for a pair of quality xenon is about right. Osram and Phillips are a good place to start.
01-03 are D2R. 04-06 are D2S. Don't cheap out on safety equipment, $100 for a pair of quality xenon is about right. Osram and Phillips are a good place to start.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 243
Likes: 24
From: North Dakota
Today I failed (miserably) at changing my own low beam on my 01 LS 430. I decided to try the cheap set. I was able to get the old one out no problem.
The new one would not go in. It is labeled D2R/D2S. I'm not sure how it can be both. Most likely it can't be both, which is why it doesn't fit. It looks similar to the previous (Osram).
Interestingly I tried to put the old one back in and was not able to figure out how the previous bulb went in. It is only held in place by the small metal clip? I expected it to seat and lock with a twist. Then secure with the clip.
After much trying, I gave up for the day. I can usually get things, but slower than the average joe. This one got me today. Thinking of going to the Toyota dealer and having them replace it.
The new one would not go in. It is labeled D2R/D2S. I'm not sure how it can be both. Most likely it can't be both, which is why it doesn't fit. It looks similar to the previous (Osram).
Interestingly I tried to put the old one back in and was not able to figure out how the previous bulb went in. It is only held in place by the small metal clip? I expected it to seat and lock with a twist. Then secure with the clip.
After much trying, I gave up for the day. I can usually get things, but slower than the average joe. This one got me today. Thinking of going to the Toyota dealer and having them replace it.
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 152
Likes: 21
From: North Carolina
There is a 'u' shaped clip on the 01-03's that you do need to push into after placing the bulb in its socket. It freely swings but it gently bends outward when you try to push the clip to lock the bulb in place. The bulb itself doesn't twist, although the headlight assembly does have a notch to orient it correctly. Keep in mind the D2R's should have a metal tab on the bulb itself, which should be oriented above.
There is another bulb called the "D2C" but i've never seen one. I think that one is interchangeable between D2R and D2S's.
There is another bulb called the "D2C" but i've never seen one. I think that one is interchangeable between D2R and D2S's.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 243
Likes: 24
From: North Dakota
The u clip rotated down fine. The new bulb was oriented with the metal bar up.
It just never felt secure. When I pulled the old bulb out it felt snug.
One issue is there is movement in the section that the bulb attaches to. So I could not push that hard.
I will try again tomorrow possibly. I did think it was strange I could not get the burnt out bulb back in. Probably not a good sign.
Thanks!
It just never felt secure. When I pulled the old bulb out it felt snug.
One issue is there is movement in the section that the bulb attaches to. So I could not push that hard.
I will try again tomorrow possibly. I did think it was strange I could not get the burnt out bulb back in. Probably not a good sign.
Thanks!
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,186
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From: Texas
The u clip rotated down fine. The new bulb was oriented with the metal bar up.
It just never felt secure. When I pulled the old bulb out it felt snug.
One issue is there is movement in the section that the bulb attaches to. So I could not push that hard.
I will try again tomorrow possibly. I did think it was strange I could not get the burnt out bulb back in. Probably not a good sign.
Thanks!
It just never felt secure. When I pulled the old bulb out it felt snug.
One issue is there is movement in the section that the bulb attaches to. So I could not push that hard.
I will try again tomorrow possibly. I did think it was strange I could not get the burnt out bulb back in. Probably not a good sign.
Thanks!
All D2R/D2S/D2C bulbs have a large square notch, which should be lined up to the 12 o'clock position on the headlight assembly. The metal conductor that goes to the tip of the light bulb is in the opposite position of the large square notch. In other words, the metal conductor should be at the 6 o'clock position when inserting the light bulb into the headlight assembly. Once inserted and seated, you should not be able to rotate the light bulb, but it may not be a snug fit. The U-shape spring will keep the bulb in place, while still have enough allowance for thermal expansion.
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Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 243
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From: North Dakota
I took a different route this morning. I removed the headlight so I could see what I was doing better. Once I did one, the other was just as easy.
The bulbs I had did fit ($16.99 from amazon labeled DS2/DR2) and I was able to get them both changed. Operator error and not being able to see/feel and get the right angle on the bulb was the problem.
As usual, I finished the DIY project. This time it took me 4-5x longer than it should have. Doh!
Thanks for all your help and the photos, suggestions. I will post an update on how long they last. I did the 4300k as they seems to be closest to stock color.
The bulbs I had did fit ($16.99 from amazon labeled DS2/DR2) and I was able to get them both changed. Operator error and not being able to see/feel and get the right angle on the bulb was the problem.
As usual, I finished the DIY project. This time it took me 4-5x longer than it should have. Doh!
Thanks for all your help and the photos, suggestions. I will post an update on how long they last. I did the 4300k as they seems to be closest to stock color.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 243
Likes: 24
From: North Dakota
Working great so far.
They are a whiter white (4300k) as compared to my daytime running lights, but they work great. Get the "R" which are partially shielded to cast the light lower.
Price is great. I will buy another pair if/when I need them. I was making the install way to hard. After the first one, I can do it in my sleep.
They are a whiter white (4300k) as compared to my daytime running lights, but they work great. Get the "R" which are partially shielded to cast the light lower.
Price is great. I will buy another pair if/when I need them. I was making the install way to hard. After the first one, I can do it in my sleep.
Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 133
Likes: 11
From: Texas
Must agree that these are certainly priced right and they fit perfectly.
The only tricky part is the two and one half twisting inverted to both see and feel what you are doing. The dudes that designed the access hole must have figured a small lass would be their main bulb changer😀
Thanks again all,
Doug k
The only tricky part is the two and one half twisting inverted to both see and feel what you are doing. The dudes that designed the access hole must have figured a small lass would be their main bulb changer😀
Thanks again all,
Doug k
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